Extension-table.



No. 678,834. Patented luly l6, I901. G. A. DAVIS.

EXTENSION TABLE.

(Application filed Jan. 28, 1901.)

.(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. DAVIS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNGR TO STOlV & DAVISFURNITURE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

EXTENSION-TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 678,834, dated July 16,1901.

Application filed January 28,1901. Serial No. 45,117. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension-Tables, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction ofextension-tables; and its object is to suspend a separablesupportingbase from the top in such a way as to maintain under thestrain of use the original rigidity of construction. This object Iaccomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section of a closedextension-table, through the central plane thereof. Fig. 2 is a verticalcross-section showing the same form of construction as in Fig. 1 andshowing the table slightly opened and taken on the central plane atright angles to the plane in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 andet are detailed views ofa portion of the same parts shown in Fig. 2, but showing the alternativeforms of construction.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings I have shown that form of extension-table which whenclosed is supported by a single central pedestal or column, whichpedestal or column is separable into two parts and divides as the tableis opened. It is apparent, however, that my invention may be applied totables having supportingbases of other well-known forms.

In the drawings, A represents the top of the table.

M M M M are the bridge-blocks, running lengthwise of the table andattached on their upper surface to the lower surface of the top and ontheir lower surface to the cross-bar F. There are two of thesecross-bars, each of which in the form of construction shown is near theinner edge of its portion of the separable top.

E E represent the separable supportingcolumns. These colums are at thetop rigidly attached to the cross-bar F by screws, bolts, brackets, orother customary means. The supporting-column is carried upon suitablefeet, as shown.

To the extent already described my invention does not difier from thatform in common use. It is evident that when the table is extended andweight is applied to the same the attachment between the top of thecolumn and the cross bar is subjected to a great strain and considerableleverage is exerted, which has a tendency to pull the supportingcolumnaway from the cross-bar, at the inner edge of the same. tachment betweenthe column and the crossbar acts in a sense as a fulcrum-point and thelength of the column and the foot as a lever tending to accomplish thisresult. In practice it has been found very difficult so to attach thecolumn to the cross-bar as to prevent the weakening and springing of thestructure at the inner edge of such attachment and the opening of thecolumn toward the bottom.

I provide between the central bridge-bars and attach to them, and thusindirectly attach to the top itself, or, if desired, directly attachalso to the top itself, a suspendingblock, (shown in the drawings by B.)If this suspending-block extends upwardly in close contact with the top,I cut away a portion thereof, as shown in Fig. 1, so as to give accessto the nut which is there located. I then provide a suspendingconnection in the nature of a truss between the suspendingblock and theinner portion of the supporting-base. In the form of construction shownin Figs. 1 and 2 this connection is a rod (shown by D) having at itslower end a hook G or equivalent means of engaging the adjacent base. Atits upper end it is provided with a screw-thread and with a nut C. It isapparent that by assembling the parts as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and thenby screwing down the nut upon the upper end of the rod the lower portionof the base and the suspending-block, and thereby the whole top, will beclamped together with very great rigidity, and this rod will act in asense as a truss, resisting the above-described tendency to open at theinner portion of the joint between the column and the cross-bar and atthe bottom of the base.

I regard the above as the better form of construction; but it isapparent that the same The outer limit of the at gree, isobtained insubstantially the same manner in the alternative forms of constructionshown by Fig. 3, in which upon the one side is shown a hanger-bolthaving a screwthread and a nut upon its upper end and a screw-thread andpoint upon its lower end suspended from the suspending-block andengaging with the body of the inner portion of the supporting-column,and upon the other side is shown an ordinary carriage-bolt having itshead in a recess cut out of the inner portion of the supporting-columnand a nut.

upon the other end above the suspendingblock.

The point of suspension may be considerably varied without departingfrom my invention, the essential feature being that the separable baseshould be hung from the top at a point at or near the inner portion ofthe separable base, so as effectively to resist the tendency of thejoint to spring open at this point. It is apparent also that the centralportion of the base might be suspended from and clamped to the top andthe cross-bar without the intervention of the suspendingblock which Ihave shown; but I regard the latter as the desired and preferable formof construction.

by Letters Patent, is

1. In an extension-table, the combination l of the separable top havingbridge-blocks and cross-bar, the-separable base attached to the topstructure, the suspending-block attached to the bridge-blocks, and meansfor suspending the central portions of the supporting-base from andclamping the same to said suspending-block, substantially as defscribed'.

2. In an extension-table, the combination of the separable top havingbridge-blocks and cross-bar, the separable base attached to said topstructure, and a clamping-rod engaging at its lower end with the innerpor- 1 tion of the supporting-base and at its upper end with the topstructure and adapted to suspend the one from the other and clamp thesame firmly together, substantially as described.

3. In an extensible table,the combination of the top, a. base therefor,and adjustable means connected with the top for suspendingand clampingthe base thereto.

4. In an extensible table, the combination of the top, a base therefor,a rod connected with the top and engaging the base, and

means mounted onv said rod for clamping the 1 base to the top;

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence oftwosubscribing witnesses, this 12th day of January, 1901; Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim to have invented, and desire tosecure GEORGE A. DAVIS;

\Vitnesses:

ARTHUR C. DENISON, GEO. GLAPPERTON.

